Meet The Maker - Marie-Pier Labelle, Days of August
Founded in 2011, Days of August's signature look comes from it's unconventional use of industrial grade stainless steel - a material not typically used to make jewellery - which meant reinventing and adapting traditional fabrication techniques to accomodate it's solidity and strength.
Stainless steel perfectly complements Marie-Pier's design style - minimal and intentionally simple - and with it she creates architectural and contemporary statement pieces. Believing in timelessness over trends, she combines clean lines and considered composition to create wearable jewellery essentials that transcend the seasons.
With a focus on sustainability, Marie-Pier put into place eco friendly manufacturing practices from the start, and is now partering with Ecologi to offset her environmental footprint, making Days of August a 100% carbon neutral business.
Days of August is much loved at Sissa Sorella and Marie-Pier kindly let us ask her some questions about her beautiful brand and the ethos behind it.
WHEN DID YOU START DAYS OF AUGUST?
2011 - I can’t believe it’s coming up to ten years already!
WHY THE NAME?
As a Canadian, the month of August for me represents the peak of summer. Holidays, festivals, long hot days, sun and fun. Now that I live in Australia, August is synonym of cool and rainy days, being cosy by the fire, wrapping yourself with your favourite scarf, and drinking hot coco. Both are true representations of the month of August, depending on where you are.
The name Days of August is a nod to perspective. While industrial stainless steel is not a material that is meant to be transformed into jewellery, I saw an opportunity when seeing the scrap bin at a local stainless steel machinist. I’ve been using his “trash” offcuts to create my treasures ever since.
Like a lot of things in life, it’s not what’s in front of you that matters, but the perspective at which you look at it.
WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
My business was actually a happy accident. 10 year ago I was working on feature films in the camera department. Between shoots, I found myself needing a creative outlet, and started taking silversmithing classes at the Jam Factory in Adelaide. I was making for fun, on the side, when more and more people asked me to make pieces for them. I started selling at small local markets and the whole thing grew from there. Soon I had to get business cards, register a business name, build a website and fulfil orders for shops and galleries. After a few years of juggling both my film work and my jewellery work, it became too much to handle and I needed to pick a focus going forward. Days of August became my full time gig in 2013.
WHAT IS IT THAT DRIVES YOU EACH DAY TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL PIECES?
I find making something out of my two hands very rewarding. Seeing an idea become a prototype, then a product, then someone’s favourite piece - that’s a beautiful and thrilling thing.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS IN DAYS OF AUGUST?
Prototyping, definitely. It’s like the birthing of your brain child!
WHAT’S YOUR PIECE YOU WEAR THE MOST?
Definitely the XL hollow link earrings. There is something so simple and satisfying about their shape. They are understated in their construction, yet bold and unapologetic. They are classic and can be worn with absolutely everything.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU WHEN CREATING YOUR COLLECTION?
Longevity and sustainability.
I want everything I make to stand the test of time both structurally and aesthetically. I do not believe in following trends. For me, style trumps fast fashion any day of the week. I want my pieces to become heirlooms, and be passed down generations.
A selection of Days of August pieces are available in store at Sissa Sorella.
